Crime Down in River Forest: Report

River Forest police saw a dip in high-priority offenses and an increase in second-tier offenses in September 2013 over September 2012, according to a monthly report from the police department.

Overall, police activity, including offenses and general calls, was down six percent in September 2013 over September 2012 and three percent for the year, according to the report.

The "Part I" offenses, including homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated robbery, burglary, theft over $500 and motor vehicle theft, were down 40 percent from September 2012 and 13 percent for the year overall. Police reported 18 Part I offenses in September 2013, up from 30 reported in September 2012.

"Part II" offenses, including battery, assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct and other misdemeanor and traffic offenses, however, were up 80 percent—or 35 offenses—from September 2012, according to the report.

While there was a jump during the month of September, Part II reports were down three percent for the year overall, with 703 offenses to date, compared to 724 reported at the same time in 2012, according to the report. Police reported 79 Part II offenses in September 2013, up from 44 in September 2012.

Police received 40 calls for service on Town Center properties. Five of those calls were related to reported crimes, including three thefts and two retail thefts, according to the report.

Significant events included DUI charges on Sept. 1 and Sept. 7, an underage drinking arrest on Sept. 21, the arrest of a Concordia employee for stealing a student's laptop and a trespassing offense reported Sept. 2. 

Find more Oak Park and River Forest police news on Patch here.